Miss American Way (The Lilly Ledbetter Song)

Copyright 2010 All Rights Reserved
Words and Music by Camille Bright-Smith
Smokin’ Piano performed by David Wohl

Lilly was workin’ hard
Hitting the plant floor every day
She learned every single job
It was Goodyear all the way
Everyone in Gadsden Alabama
Knew her very well
The lady Manager
The sweetest gal
The hardest worker

Then one day
She got a letter from a stranger
Exposing that her pay
Was waaaaaay less than what the guys were makin’
Means Lilly spent
Round 20 years
Getting less
Doing the same
Wasn’t there a law about that
Back in the day?

And Miss Lilly says
Might don’t make right
Whats good is good
I’m gonna fight, I’m gonna fight
And you can thank her
For your right to equal pay
Miss Lilly Ledbetter
Your Miss American Way!

Shake downs for sex
Back room cigarettes
Lilly never wanted
Any part of this
They backed the wrong gal
Up against a wall
And it took an act of Congress
But the wall came tumblin’ down

Hey Lilly Hey
Ginsberg had her back
Lilly had her faith
Y’all better get right with that
And pay attention
Don’t take one penny less
Might need to mention
Lilly Ledbetter Act

And Miss Lilly says
Might don’t make right
Whats good is good
I’m gonna fight, I’m gonna fight
And you can thank her
For your right to equal pay
Miss Lilly Ledbetter
Your Miss American Way!

5 Comments

Camille, this might just be my favorite song of yours yet! (Love the harmonies, by the way.) And what a great tribute to Lilly Ledbetter and the other women who have walked and worked before us to pave the way to equality on the job and in society.

I love this song. You’ve captured the tenacious, sassy spirit of woman with the courage and stamina to take on this fight on behalf of us all of us, our daughters and granddaughters. Thank you! I’m posting and sharing and re-tweeting this song. xx